The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1887-03-19

GOOQ-UN Ut lnG Gdlc.
As he approached the cottage his at
tention was attracted by the figure of n
gentleman walking before him-he was
the stranger who had spoken to the
porters at Sutton Station.
He was several yards in advance of
John Harvey. not walking in the desul-
tory. purposeless manner of a stranger.
but like one who, having an object to
accomplish. was already in view of the
goal for its attainment
"A fine fellowr was Johns soliloquy.
'-But wonder who he is and where he
is going"
Almost in answer TO the query the
stranger pushed open the gate of the
cottage, and, entering. closed it behind
him.
In few seconds more John Harvey
gained the gate and, pausing outside.
looked once more on the dear familiar
scene. The fine old chestnut spread out
its branches in the sunlight. and yield
ed the same cool shelter under its leaves
which il had yielded a fortnight before.
but Clara's coach was no longer there.
Only the small. rustic table and wide
gardeu-seat were there. and on low
cnair beside the table. her face buried
on her crossed arms. WAS Bel Urmson-
The stranger had walked silently and
unnoticed across the greensward, and,
standing within few yards Of her, was
atteniiyely regarding her
The girl raised her head and looked
at him, then. grasping the back of her
chair. slowly rose TO her feet
With a little cry of joy she ran to him
and he folded her IN his arms and kissed
her. She did not shrink from mis- Ca
k... hos
around his neck and kissed MIN.
Gently and tenderly he led her 10 the
garden seat; and. seated there. their
voices became an indistinct murmur to
John Harvey. and he heard no more
Il know him now" he muttered be-
tween his clenched teeth; Lieutenant
Heywood-the old lover
With an imprecation still on his lips
he turned his back on the scene of his
happiest hours.
Ten o'clock was striking when John
Harvey returned to The Griffin" and
half nm hour later he had left Sutton
forever.
Two days after his departure Bel
Urmson held in her hands letter from
him bidding her farewell and telling
her that, though be could not but CRATE
fully appreciate her endeavor to love
him. vet knowing as he did know that
she had never forgotten her first love he
had decided to adopt the only course
left open 10 him and go away.
With a pale face and trembling fin
gers Bel read the letter. then she folded
it up and laid it away in her desk
At ten minutes to o'clock on the
morning of the 30th of June, five years
after Mrs. Lester's death, the bell over
the porch of the village school at Chip
dendale rang out its summons Ding
dong, ding-dong, pealed along High
street from end to end. over the play
ground rolled the lusty tones and the
children stopped their play as they re-
cognized the familiar ''iron tongue"
and with one accord hastened TO the
door,
Boys and girls rushed together. push
ing. laughing. shouting, striking out at
each other as one or the other gained a
momentary advantage in the race to be
! first at school
Good morning. children"
The voice was full and pleasant and
+ the smile broadened into grin on the
/ little faces as the speaker left her desk
/ and came toward them. She had a
word and a smile for each. for it was
I the opening day of school after the mid
( summer holidays, and rules were re-
I laxed and little license permitted by
/ even so strict disciplinarian as Bel
Urnson.
I Yes. she was Miss Urmson stiIl-not
/ quite the same Bel of five years before,
for sorrow and care had washed the
+ roses from her cheeks; but no one gaz-
i ing on the pale, beautiful face ever
T doubted the fact that her spinsterhood
/ was maintained from her own choice
She was standing up, the children
gathered around her preparatory TO
their dismissal at noon. when the door
I opened and the Vicar of Chippendale
entered. followed by gentleman.
Good morning. Miss Urmson," he
said, shaking hands with her and nod
ding to the children. Il am glad YOU
+ have not dismissed your scholars, as
wished my friend 10 see them. | can
not myself stay to give him any infor-
nation about them; but il you will
kindly tell him about them | shall feel
very much obliged. MIR. Harvey, Miss
Urmson.'
Startling and unexpected as the meet
ing was, Bel did not lose her self-pos-
session. The coolest. stifiest inclination
of her head acknowledged the inlroduc-
ton. then she turned aside and remain
4 ed silent. with "A ringing in her ears
that almost deafened her. and a mist
before her eyes which blinded her to
everything save tile face of John Har-
vey. But presently she saw by the
children's movements that the vicar
was leaving; she heard his retreating
footsteps, aud. after pause, she raised
her head and said:
Children, you may GO"
Quietly and decorously they trooped
out of the room, but not until their foot
steps had died away did she turn tc
John Harvey.
why did you come herep" she asked,
II certainly did not come with any
idea that | should see YOU" he replied
Il need hardly assure you that had
known Of your presence here | should
have avoided coming to Chippendale
altogether.
Then YOU would still shun me?n
Il would. 1t is the wisest, the oniy
course | can pursue"
She was silent. debating within her
self whether to bid him 90 and pursue
The same course again or to detain him
and ask for an explanation of the letter
still locked away in her desk. 1t wa:
more dignified, more conSonant with
her self-esteem to send him away, bu
ba- lovipfy yyput1nlx nntnra ra